Fbedekick schley



(Np Model.) e

F. SGHLEY. I Stereotype Block.

NO. 242,989. I. Patented June 14, I381.

INVENTOR Q/ wa/M/a V ATTORNEY @M% A @z;

WITNESSES N, PETERS, PhaloLiihognphar, Wnhingtnn. D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK SOHLEY, OF NEw YORK, N. Y., AssIeNoE TO HIMSELF AND FERDINAND wEsEL, or sAMEP AoE.

STEREOTYPE -BLOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 242,989, dated June 14, 1881.

Application filed December 11, 1880. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FREDERICK ScHLEY, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stereotype-Blocks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has reference to an improved block for supporting stereotype-plates, the same having the advantage of being extensible, so as to be used for ditt'erent sizes of plates; and the invention consists, first, of the combination, with the body or main portion of the block, of adjustable extension-strips provided with retaining lips or flanges for the stereotype-plate; and, secondly, of improvements in the construction of the adjustable hooks, by which the stereotype-plates are held in position on the block.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a top view of myimproved stereotypeblock; and Figs. 2 and 8 are vertical transverse sections of the same, respectively, on lines a; a: and y y, Fig. 1.

Similar letters of reference indicate correspondin g parts.

A in the drawings represents the main portion or body of myimproved stereotype-block, which is provided at one side and end with extension-strips B, and at the remaining side and end with adjustable retaining-hooks G, by which, in connection with fixed lips or flanges B of the extension-strips, the stereotype'plates are securely held in position on the block. The extension-strips B are adjusted to greater or less distance from the body A of the block by means of screws a, and pinions b. The screws a are secured by square heads a into the body of the strips, and extended into sockets of the main portion A. The pinions are madein one piece with screw-nuts b, which are retained by end strips, 07, in the sockets of the main portion A, so as to operate the screws when the pinions are turned in one direction or the other by the usual rack-bar. The rack-bar is guided in end grooves of the body of the block. By turning the pinions the extension-strips B are either set closer to or farther away from the main part A, so that stereotype-plates of larger or smaller size may be supported by the block, which is a great convenience for printers, as it produces a considerable saving in the furniture of printing-offices.

The retaining-hooks O are arranged in the side and end of the block not provided with extension-strips, and are set in the usual manner by means of pinions 0 applied to screw nuts 0, the nut and pinion turning in recesses of the body A of the block, and being retained by means of brass end strips f, which are fastened to the side and end of the block. Each screw-nut e engages the lower threaded part ofthe U-shaped shank O of the retaining-hook C, the latter being bent up from the upper part of the shank G. The upper surface of the upper part of the shank O is preferably flattened, and arranged to be somewhat below the level of the top surface of the block. The

retaining-hook O and shank 0 move in a slot and recess of the block, and are adjusted by a rack-bar, which engages the pinions e in the same manner as those of the extension-strips B. The strips d andf are provided below their upper edges with flanges d and f, which extend inwardly at right angles therefrom, so as to form the bottom of the groove along which the adjusting rack bar has to travel. By the use of these protecting-flanges the heavy brass plates at the side and end of the block maybe dispensed with and the wood protected thereby against being injured by the teeth of the rack-bar. The flanges d and f are recessed for the pinions b and c, as the same have to project above the level of the grooves formed by the upper surfaces of the flanges.

Serious objections to hooks of prior construction are foundin the fact that the shanks of some are made to extend through the block, so that the shanks of the side hooks interfered with those of the end hooks, while in others the screw-threads of the shanks are so exposed that dust and ink drop into them and cause the hooks to stick, giving great annoyance to printers. These objections are avoided by the hook herein described. The rod being doubled upon itself, the upper arm on which the hook is formed, and the socket which inoloses the lower arm, protect the thread of the shank from ink and dirt, so that the hook works freely. The shank can be kept well oiled, and

I is protected from water when the block is washed, and rusting prevented.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. In a stereotype-block, a solid one-piece main part or body, in combination with hooked extension-strips arranged at one side and end of the same, and with adjusting-screws, nuts, and pinions, whereby the extension-strips are set close to or farther away from the solid main block, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination of a solid stereotypeblock, with adjustable hooked extension-strips arranged at one side and end of the block, and with adjustable retaining-hooks arranged in guiderecesses at the remaining side and end of the block, substantially as described.

3. The retaining-hooks O, and their actuating mechanism composed of the pinions c, threaded sockets c, correspondingly-threaded shanks O, abutting-strips f, and the main block A, in combination with the extensible ad justable strips B, with the hooked flanges B, and their actuating mechanism composedof the pinions I), screw-bolts a, and strips d, whereby a larger or smaller stereotype-plate may be securely held without the use of quadrats or other blocks, substantially as described.

4. A detachable adjustable locking device for stereotypeplates, consisting of a rod bent in U shape, one leg thereof being threaded and provided with a correspondingly-threaded socket having a pinion at one end, the other leg being provided with an outwardly-projecting hook, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name, in presence of two witnesses, this 7th day of December, 1880.

FREDERICK SOHLEY.

Witnesses:

PAUL GoEPEL, CARL KARP. 

